Mitchell County Commissioners Meeting Monday Feb 13th

The Mitchell County Commissioners met at the Courthouse Monday morning, February 13, to take care of the business of the County. All Commissioners were present as well as the County Clerk. Also in attendance was Beloit City Administrator Jason Rabe and Economic Development Specialist Heather Hartman.

Kelly Hawk, EMS Director, was present to give the Commissioners his monthly report on the activity of his department. The EMS conducted 52 runs during the month of January. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday were the busiest days of the week. The age group of 80 to 89 years of age was the largest category accounting for 14 of the 52 runs.

$37,290 was charged for ambulance services in January. Total receipts for those charges was $16,003. This leaves a balance of $14,732 in accounts receivable. Hawk said, “Generally we are proud of the numbers and the service were provide to the citizens of Mitchell County.”

Hawk said they have a couple openings in the ambulance staff. Currently six people are attending an EMT class.

Larry Emerson and Dale Housch appeared to discuss the Public Works activities. They informed the Commissioners that the Fisherman’s Bridge and the Causeway Bridge are due for the fracture critical inspection. They recommended that the Commissioners once again participate with a consortium of counties that have worked together to get a better cost for these types of inspections. The Commissioners directed Emerson and Housch to make arrangements for the inspection if the cost has not risen dramatically.

Emerson said that Doug Schmidt south of Tipton has gravel he is willing to sell the County for road use. He believed it is of good quality but they will inspect it to see if is up to standards.

Emerson then told the Commissioners “We had another guy quit. He was doing well but he was offered a better job. I can’t blame him for taking it.”

Emerson and Housch told the Commissioners they need to take a day to two to give current road and bridge employees an opportunity to “try out” for machine operator positions. They believe they have several current employees who might make good operators but they won’t know unless the guys have a chance to see how they would do. They are one short on motor grader operators.

“We would like to find some operators from our current workers. They always seem to do better,” said Emerson.

The Commissioners adjourned to a ten minute executive session with Dale Housch. Housch will replace Larry Emerson as Superintendent of Public Works when Emerson retires.

No action was taken as a result of the closed session.

Having addressed all the items on the agenda, the meeting was adjourned.